Arsenal Vs Spurs, A reality Check, But For Who?

The battle lines are drawn as Arsenal host Tottenham at the Emirates for the first of three North London Derbies this season, and apart from bragging rights the stakes are much higher as a win will not only be crucial in the quest for top-four but will also help not to cede further ground on the early Premier League log leaders.

Following three back-to-back PL draws the Gunners got back to winning ways against a spirited Bournemouth side, and although not vintage we did create the lion’s share of scoring chances. So play as we did then with better composure in front of goal and we will have joy.

Easier said than done though as this is a much tougher assignment. Spurs got their tails up with a run of six wins in all competitions in which they conceded just 5 goals and scored 13.

No-one really expect them to be troubling the trophy engravers anytime soon, but there was quite a celebration when they ended Chelsea’s unbeaten run last Sunday in a match their attackers danced around the Blues side with incredibly light feet. So we’ll need to show a much more committed performance than ‘Sarri-ball’ to nip in the bud any ideas our visitors may have that today will be another quick-step.

The last time we played one of the big ones second-placed Liverpool gave us quite a stern test, but we fought our way back from a goal down to earn a creditable draw. So whatever happens, today will provide a measure of just what the red half of North London can do in the league this campaign.

Then there is the matter of one Michael Dean. While he was the man in the middle in this fixture last season, a match we won with relative ease, it is worth mentioning he did admit to giving a phantom penalty to West Brom against us a few weeks later. So with a Spurs side who deliberately use tactics to con refs into them penalties the Gunners will need to remain organised and keep their wits about them if Mike is going to look like he wants to steal the show.

Gunner-in-chief Unai Emery’s first NLD and I’m sure he know it will be emotionally charged, so it will be a surprise to see him sacrificing an attacking player to keep with the three at the back he used in our last PL outing against attack minded opponents. While the system suits both Hector Bellerín and Sead Kolasinac’s attacking abilities, the three central defenders will need to be at their best vs a team that offers more of an attacking threat. If a return to a back four is favoured, the coach will have a tough decision whom to leave out of three, while still facing the same challenges Spurs pose. Sort of headache one imagine Pochettino himself to have to keep our attackers at bay.

We can expect these teams to have a good go at against each others to give us a very closely fought, equally entertaining and tense match up… and we can bet the Emirates faithful will not disappoint by providing the appropriate atmosphere.

lacazetteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, ramsey played it in to him and it seemed like he had took too much time, but he turned on to his left and fired into the net from 25 yards out, right in at the post 3-2

Aubameyang x2, Lacazette and Torreira with our goals, spurs diving cheating scum sent back to their caravans with their tails between their legs.

AFC dominated the game for all bar maybe 20 minutes, but I’d expect the media headlines to be AFC beat 10 man spurs, despite the sending off coming near the end with us already 2 up and in total control

Ramsey with 2 assists and lacazette with a goal were the second half spark we needed, in truth we had missed lots of good chances the first half and should have been well in the lead at half time.
Bellerin very good in first half especially.

next up is man utd, we have 8pts lead on them so we really could put them to bed if we win on Wednesday.

kanes only contribution to the game today was scoring a penalty,
ozil who missed the game through injury done more than Eriksen
and if it was not for seeing him dive and kick and try and start aggro I would not have known Alli was playing, how they fuck do these guys get such a free ride from the media

but but but all you guys are ignoring the fact that “spurs were tired after a big week”, and that’s not to mention it was “10 man spurs”, although for me once the red came out they were only down to 11 men, instead of the 12 they enjoyed for most of the game.

the look on Verthongan’s face when he got red said it all, they just don’t understand when they don’t get away with it all game, every game.

What a treat that was! Best performance this season i’d say. I hope someone wakes up (looking at you Josh!) and signs AR, who not for the first time, his impact on the game made the difference. Kolo’s best game as a gunner? Very annoying to hear the anti Arsene commentary on the broadcast but what else is new…. UE is doing a good job and the vibe seems to have changed in the stadium and in how we are refereed…

Absolutely f***king great performance!
Felt like the good old days
Our boys were buzzing out there.
The whole team gets a 10.
Not happy about our skipper missing the Utd game but with the spirit in the camp we should be fine. GX needs s breather anyway and Elneny Ned’s more game time.
Well done gunners.. well done!

Unai Emery was asked about Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey after Sunday’s north London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Our playmaker missed the game following a back spasm sustained in training, while our Welsh midfielder made a big impact from the bench.

Here’s what Emery told the media:

on Mesut Ozil’s injury…
He has backache.

on when he got it…
I don’t know.

on whether he was at the stadium…
I don’t know. It’s a good day to speak about the players who were playing.

on Aaron Ramsey’s contract…
I was thinking first about the first XI, then I was looking at the decisions, choosing the first XI with different possibilities. Aaron has chances to help us, either by starting the match or when the match is in the second half to play minutes. Above all today can be his day. Because it’s against Tottenham and he has experience of matches like today. We are continuing with him in our process, helping him to be with us with his performances, with his qualities and his experience here.

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